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Billy Joel

Billy Joel Quotes

Pianist

Billy Joel is an iconic American pianist, singer, and songwriter, born on May 9, 1949. His musical style blends elements of pop, rock, and jazz, and he has been highly regarded in the music industry since the 1970s. Joel is known for his unique piano playing skills and heartfelt lyrics, with hits like 'Piano Man', 'Uptown Girl', and 'Just the Way You Are'.

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All Ifs Knows People Song Musician Writing Men Want I Can Thinking Trying Said Years Giving Long Needs Way Causes Hard Heart

Famous Billy Joel Quotes

“Critics have said I write without spontaneity, in cold blood. I don't. I write in hot blood.”

Writing Said Blood Cold Hot Critics Spontaneity

Author:Billy Joel

“They say that no one's gonna play this on the radio. They said the melancholy blues were dead and gone. But only songs like these played in minor keys, keep those memories holding on.”

Said Play Song Memories Gone Keys Radio Melancholy Minors They Said Holding On

Author:Billy Joel

“Most people you'd tell "I'm gonna be a musician," they'd say, "you're crazy, you're gonna starve, you're gonna be poor, a drug addict, go to jail, you'll never make it, there's too much competition, it's a terrible business," etc. But my chorus teacher in high school said, "you've got what it takes to be a really good professional musician, you should consider it." That was an epiphany for me. So I thought, well, maybe I can help somebody, too.”

People Should Wells Said I Can Helping School Poor Too Much Teacher Crazy Terrible Drug Musician High School Competition Etc Jail Addict Epiphany Chorus Drug Addict

Author:Billy Joel

“I started just concentrating on songwriting when I was abut 20; I'd been in rock bands six or seven years, kinda got that out of my system, I said, "ok, you ain't gonna be a rock star, you don't look like a rock star, it probably ain't gonna happen. So what you should do is write songs and maybe other people will do your songs."”

People Should Writing Years Looks Said Happens Song Stars Rocks Band Six Seven Songwriting Seven Years Rock Star Concentrating Rock Bands

Author:Billy Joel

“I've always said about 50% of what happens at a concert has to do with the audience. If you play for a dead audience you're gonna stink. If we play for a great crowd we're much better. You want 'em to make noise. It's kinda like sex, if they don't make noise, you ain't doin' it right.”

Ifs Want Said Play Happens Sex Audience Crowds Noise Ems Concerts Stink

Author:Billy Joel

“I am, as I've said, merely competent. But in an age of incompetence, that makes me extraordinary.”

Said Age Aging Extraordinary Birthday Insecurity Competence Competent Incompetence Incompetent 50th Birthday

Author:Billy Joel

“I actually wrote the song first as "well, it's 9 o'clock on a Saturday." That bit. Then I said, You know what? It needs some kind of an introduction to kind of set the mood and set the flavor. So I just played this kind of cocktail lounge thing, the hustle and bustle of waitresses going by - that kind of thing.”

Knows Needs Firsts Wells Kind Said Song Bits Mood Clock Saturday Flavor Introduction Hustle Cocktails Waitress Bustle Hustle And Bustle

Author:Billy Joel

“If you said good-bye to me tonight, There would still be music left to write.”

Ifs Writing Said Stills Left Tonight Bye Good Bye Popular Song

Author:Billy Joel

“I said I love you and that's forever And this I promise from the heart I could not love you any better I love you just the way you are.”

Way Heart Said Friendship Forever Love You Promise I Promise Anniversary

Author:Billy Joel

“Videos destroyed the vitality of rock and roll. Before that, music said, "Listen to me." Now it says, "Look at me."”

Looks Said Rocks Video Destroyed Rock And Roll Look At Me Vitality Listen To Me

Author:Billy Joel

“Hey Lord, would ya look out for her tonight, and make sure that all her dreams are sweet? Said now, would ya guide her on the roads, and make them softer for her feet? Hey Lord, would ya look out for her tonight, and make sure that she's gonna be alright, until she's home and here with me.”

Looks Said Home Dream Lord Feet Sweet Travel Guides Hey Tonight Alright

Author:Billy Joel

“I never said I wasn't going to play any more. I don't know where that came from.”

Knows Said Play

Author:Billy Joel

About the Author

Born: May 9, 1949
Known for: Pianist
Quotes: 295

Related Topics

Ifs Knows People Song Musician Writing Men Want I Can Thinking Trying Said Years Giving Long Needs Way Causes Hard Heart

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Billy Joel - Boxed SetRelated source material

Billy Joel - Greatest Hits, Volumes 1 and 2 SongbookRelated source material

Billy Joel - TurnstilesRelated source material

Billy Joel Complete - Volume 2 (Songbook)Related source material

The Billy Joel Keyboard Book (Songbook): Note-for-Note Keyboard TranscriptionsRelated source material

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